Jordan Addison To Texas? Does It Make Sense?

Current Texas Playmakers

All Longhorn fans know Bijan Robinson and Xavier Worthy are stars. However, Texas has plenty of playmakers alongside them. Steve Sarkisian and this Texas staff have done a good job recruiting and adding talent to all three playmaking positions on offense. Here is a glimpse into each of the rooms top players.

Running Backs

In the running back room Texas boasts the talents of Bijan Robinson, Roschon Johnson, Keilan Robinson, Johnathan Brooks, and true freshman Jaydon Blue.

Bijan Robinson is a Heisman candidate, his talent is obvious. He is a do-it-all running back and is going to command 20-30 touches a game. Roschon Johnson is a converted quarterback, but don’t let that fool you. Johnson is the heart and soul of this offense. He could easily start for most power-five football teams with his downhill running style. Johnson also is a solid receiver out of the backfield on check down passes.

Keilan Robinson, Johnathan Brooks, and Jaydon Blue round out the running back room. Keilan brings dynamic speed and game-breaking ability. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him end the year averaging five touches a game and ten or more yards per touch.

Johnathan Brooks is more of a depth piece this season, but in the spring game he showed that Texas will be in good hands when Bijan and Roschon move onto the NFL. Jaydon Blue was once the number one running back in high school before opting out of his senior year. His talent is immense but still has a lot to prove.

Wide Receivers

In the wide receiver room Texas has a lot of talent as well. Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington, Isaiah Neyor, (potentially) Agiye Hall, and true freshman Brenen Thompson lead the room currently.

Xavier Worthy is clearly the alpha in that room currently. Whittington and Neyor will be the other starters in three wide receiver sets. All three players will eventually be playing on Sundays.

Agiye Hall committed to Texas last month, but has yet to enroll. If he ends up coming to Texas, Hall could prove to be the most naturally talented of all of them. His size, speed, and agility reminded some Alabama fans of Julio Jones when he was a freshman.

Brenen Thompson is the Ferrari of the offense. His speed is unmatched in the Forty Acres. With the receiver room looking as talented as it does, Thompson will likely serve as a depth piece in year one. However, in year two he will change the offense and the way defenses play Texas with his Olympic-level speed.

Tight Ends

The tight end room is inexperienced, however they’re just as talented as any other playmaking group. Ja’Tavion Sanders, Jahleel Billingsley, Gunnar Helm, and Juan Davis are the top athletes in the room.

Ja’Tavion Sanders is a former five-star athlete who is now going into his sophomore season. Longhorn fans should expect a huge jump this year. They should see a lot of Sanders playing in-line tight end and be a force as a blocker as well as a dynamic receiver.

Jahleel Billingsley is another playmaker at tight end. Coming from Alabama, he has prior experience with Sarkisian’s offense and Texas’ tight end coach Jeff Banks. Longhorn fans should see Billingsley split-out and in the slot. He will likely serve as a flex tight end in the offense.

Gunnar Helm and Juan Davis are also sophomores and will serve as the primary backups to Sanders and Billingsley, respectively.

Jordan Addison’s Fit at Texas

After naming all of those playmakers at Texas and their roles you must be wondering, where does Jordan Addison fit in? The answer is simple, almost everywhere.

Jordan Addison could line up as the primary “X” receiver, while Xavier Worthy slides to the slot. This would give Worthy advantageous matchups against defensive backs who aren’t necessarily the best coverage players in their secondary.

Addison is coming off of a Bilitnikof award, he is absolutely talented enough to lead an elite offense. However, if Xavier Worthy wants to stay on the outside, Addison can easily slide into the slot and take advantage of those same matchups Worthy could have had.

Jordan Whittington and Isaiah Neyor would be pushed down the depth chart. However, both would still have plenty of opportunities to showcase their talents. Defenses will be forced to give Addison and Worthy so much attention, it will leave Whittington and Neyor with one-on-one matchups almost every play.

The offense would change with Jordan Addison coming aboard. There is expected to be a heavy dose of two tight end sets this season because of the talent Ja’Tavion Sanders and Jahleel Billingsley have. However, with the wide receiver room as talented as it is, Sarkisian will be forced to play a lot of four wide receiver sets. Something he did at Alabama when he was coaching four eventual first rounders: Henry Ruggs III, Jerry Juedy, Jaylen Waddle, and DaVonta Smith.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, yes Jordan Addison fits in at Texas. Of course he does. Steve Sarkisian is trying to put together a top ten and potential playoff contender this season. After a terrible 7-9 season, Sarkisian is under pressure to bounce back. He cannot neglect the opportunity to add an elite player like Jordan Addison. Sarkisian should (and will) adjust his offensive game plans and general scheme to accommodate the five most talented playmakers at his disposal.

Brennan Marion coached Jordan Addison in his Biletnikoff winning season last year. His ties with Addison along with Sarkisian’s offense and Quinn Ewers at quarterback give Texas a fighting chance in this recruiting battle.

All Longhorn fans want an offensive lineman or another defensive player in the transfer portal, but there aren’t any elite options out there anymore. Sarkisian has to take all of the elite players he can to get Texas back to a Big 12 title game.

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